Dear Neighbors,
My heart breaks that I have to write to you all following another tragedy. There is a lot that’s running through my mind at the moment. So, as your State Representative, I wanted to take a moment to cover a few things about this awful moment we find ourselves in.
Renee Good Should Still Be Alive
- Renee's death is a tragedy that we all wish never happened.
- I believe in the inherent dignity of all humans and that all life is sacred, and we would all do well to remind ourselves of that.
- In these highly divided and tense times, it is critical that we do not question the humanity of our neighbors.
ICE is Making Minnesota Less Safe
- No matter your views on undocumented immigration in our state, I think we can all agree that the tactics and actions adopted by ICE, CBP, and other federal agents are chaotic and dangerous. If our state peace officers employed many of these tactics, they would risk termination because they are simply unsafe for the officers and the public.
- Due process is being completely ignored and constitutional rights seem to have become an afterthought. These federal agents are going as far as detaining U.S. citizens and legal residents. I’m a lawyer, and I believe that it is critically important for the government to follow the law. When it doesn’t, the entire premise of our democratic system starts to become unglued.
- As someone who believes deeply in freedom and liberty, heavily armed masked federal agents dressed for overseas military expeditions operating on American streets are a cause of great concern, regardless of their stated mission. In my mind, it is fundamentally un-American and unpatriotic.
ICE Failing to Involve State Authorities in the Investigation is an Injustice
- The federal government is blocking Minnesota law enforcement from investigating the killing of Renee Good. It’s a standard practice for state and local law enforcement to be able to collaborate on investigations, especially in situations like this where the local community is disrupted.
- This decision means Minnesota law enforcement is pushed out, unable to review any evidence or facts, and aren’t able to represent Minnesota at the table. We need a thorough, independent investigation Minnesotans can trust.
- Our BCA agents are nonpartisan, career professionals that have spent years building expertise in use of force incidents and—most importantly—the community’s trust. Again, as an attorney, I believe in objective justice. If the federal government believes in justice and truth, then they should involve the BCA.
Lastly, I want to share a toolkit with information about knowing civil rights, legal assistance, emergency contacts, advocacy and community support, and numerous other resources. Stay safe everyone.
Stay in Touch
Please feel free to reach out to me by email at rep.matt.norris@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-2907. If you have a friend, neighbor, or relative who wants to receive updates about the Legislature, let them know they can subscribe to my email list here, and follow my Facebook here. It’s an honor to represent our community. Please stay in touch!
Sincerely,
Matt Norris, District 32B
5th Floor Centennial Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155